Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to be in Victoria on Monday to make an announcement about electric vehicles and meet with the mayor.
Trudeau’s itinerary says the announcement at 10:15 a.m. will “highlight Budget 2022 investments in electric vehicle infrastructure.”
Budget 2022 commits to making investments in critical mineral projects for electric vehicle components.
“These investments will contribute to the development of a domestic zero-emissions vehicle value chain, including batteries, permanent magnets, and other electric vehicle components,” Budget 2022 says. “They will also secure Canada’s place in important supply chains with our allies and implement a just and sustainable Critical Minerals Strategy.”
The budget also calls for an increase in the manufacturing and purchase of zero-emission vehicles and investing in electric vehicle charging stations.
Additionally, the budget calls for support for businesses to switch to electric vehicles.
“Budget 2022 proposes to provide $547.5 million over four years, starting in 2022-23, to Transport Canada to launch a new purchase incentive program for medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs,” the budget says.
At 1:30 p.m., Trudeau is scheduled to meet with Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps.
Helps told CHEK News the meeting is to discuss the city’s climate and housing goals.
Budget 2022 makes some promises about housing in the next 10 years.
“Over the next ten years, we will double the number of new homes we build,” the budget’s foreword by Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland says. “We will invest in building more homes and in bringing down the barriers that keep them from being built. We will invest in the rental housing that so many count on. We will make it easier for our young people to get those first keys of their own.”
On top of the electric vehicle promises outlined above, the budget calls for a reduction in pollution, building a clean energy sector, protecting lands, lakes and oceans, and building a net-zero economy.
Then at 1:45, he is scheduled to meet with the City of Victoria Youth Advisory Council. The purpose of this meeting is also not stated.
Laura Brougham
